Let's hear it!

[Chavo]

It's usually possible to choose a thesis or course based curriculum.  I don't have any knowledge regarding whether one is discouraged or not.

[Sidoh]

It's usually possible to choose a thesis or course based curriculum.  I don't have any knowledge regarding whether one is discouraged or not.

Right, I understand that there's a choice between the two at most universities.  I guess I wasn't sure if the vocabulary was consistent.  This is what I was claiming in my original post -- the research-based degrees are less encouraged.

[Rule]

If you're doing a PhD, you're going to have to do a lot of research; you can't get a PhD without a substantial dissertation. 

Masters degrees seem to vary.  A lot of PhD programs take 5 years, where the first 2 years is a mix of courses and research.  Some PhD students will stop after the first 2 years, and get a master's degree.  Others will get a master's degree, and continue on for the next 3 years, and get a PhD.  Others will just continue to get a PhD, without a masters.

There are one year master's degrees, two year master's degrees, primarily course based master's, primarily research based master's, etc. 

It also varies from country to country.  In Canada, for instance, a master's degree in a scientific subject (including CS), is more of a big deal.  The dissertation is seen as quite important, and is treated almost like a PhD thesis.  In fact, usually you can't start in a PhD program until you've completed a master's.

When you say a "research based" program is less encouraged, that would depend.  Less encouraged by who? Professors?   If by professors, I can only see this for the following reason, which is somewhat specific to the US and the UK.  If you're going to do research in these places, might as well try for direct entry into a PhD program -- it could save you time, and you could end up with a master's anyways, if you decide to change directions after a couple of years.

[while1]

If you're doing a PhD, you're going to have to do a lot of research; you can't get a PhD without a substantial dissertation. 

Masters degrees seem to vary.  A lot of PhD programs take 5 years, where the first 2 years is a mix of courses and research.  Some PhD students will stop after the first 2 years, and get a master's degree.  Others will get a master's degree, and continue on for the next 3 years, and get a PhD.  Others will just continue to get a PhD, without a masters.

There are one year master's degrees, two year master's degrees, primarily course based master's, primarily research based master's, etc. 

It also varies from country to country.  In Canada, for instance, a master's degree in a scientific subject (including CS), is more of a big deal.  The dissertation is seen as quite important, and is treated almost like a PhD thesis.  In fact, usually you can't start in a PhD program until you've completed a master's.

When you say a "research based" program is less encouraged, that would depend.  Less encouraged by who? Professors?   If by professors, I can only see this for the following reason, which is somewhat specific to the US and the UK.  If you're going to do research in these places, might as well try for direct entry into a PhD program -- it could save you time, and you could end up with a master's anyways, if you decide to change directions after a couple of years.

Right, in the U.S. for Master's programs in CS you have two options depending on the school, a Masters of Science (MS) or a Masters of Computer Science (MCS).  The latter of the two is a degree without a research thesis requirement.  So basically, it's a degree for someone whose goals more align with an industry career.  However, if you had two identical candidates but one with a MS and MCS applying for the same industry job, I don't feel the MS would be at a disadvantage at all.  In fact, the MS would have more doors open to him/her.

Supposedly, some schools in the US are even now doing the same for Doctorates.

For me, I'm not sure yet on what I'm going to do.  The problem is, I can't make a decision until I hear back from two more grad skools.  The one I've been accepted to is my backup.  Sigh.

[Sidoh]

When you say a "research based" program is less encouraged, that would depend.  Less encouraged by who? Professors?   If by professors, I can only see this for the following reason, which is somewhat specific to the US and the UK.  If you're going to do research in these places, might as well try for direct entry into a PhD program -- it could save you time, and you could end up with a master's anyways, if you decide to change directions after a couple of years.

Oh, I was strictly referring to employers who are paying for you to attend graduate school.  I didn't mean to suggest that the research intensive degrees are a worse idea.  In fact, I think they sound much more interesting and fulfilling.

If you're doing a PhD, you're going to have to do a lot of research; you can't get a PhD without a substantial dissertation. 

Masters degrees seem to vary.  A lot of PhD programs take 5 years, where the first 2 years is a mix of courses and research.  Some PhD students will stop after the first 2 years, and get a master's degree.  Others will get a master's degree, and continue on for the next 3 years, and get a PhD.  Others will just continue to get a PhD, without a masters.

There are one year master's degrees, two year master's degrees, primarily course based master's, primarily research based master's, etc. 

It also varies from country to country.  In Canada, for instance, a master's degree in a scientific subject (including CS), is more of a big deal.  The dissertation is seen as quite important, and is treated almost like a PhD thesis.  In fact, usually you can't start in a PhD program until you've completed a master's.

When you say a "research based" program is less encouraged, that would depend.  Less encouraged by who? Professors?   If by professors, I can only see this for the following reason, which is somewhat specific to the US and the UK.  If you're going to do research in these places, might as well try for direct entry into a PhD program -- it could save you time, and you could end up with a master's anyways, if you decide to change directions after a couple of years.

Right, in the U.S. for Master's programs in CS you have two options depending on the school, a Masters of Science (MS) or a Masters of Computer Science (MCS).  The latter of the two is a degree without a research thesis requirement.  So basically, it's a degree for someone whose goals more align with an industry career.  However, if you had two identical candidates but one with a MS and MCS applying for the same industry job, I don't feel the MS would be at a disadvantage at all.  In fact, the MS would have more doors open to him/her.

Supposedly, some schools in the US are even now doing the same for Doctorates.

For me, I'm not sure yet on what I'm going to do.  The problem is, I can't make a decision until I hear back from two more grad skools.  The one I've been accepted to is my backup.  Sigh.

What graduate schools did you apply to?  What do you want to do research in?

[Hitmen]

Ok so there has been a big white comcast van parked on the street outside of my house for about 3 days now. I haven't seen it move once and I have seen people in it occasionally but it doesn't look like there is anyone is working on anything. I wonder who is watching me.
</tinfoil hat>

[Blaze]

Call your cities parking enforcement people and get it towed. 

[Newby]

Ok so there has been a big white comcast van parked on the street outside of my house for about 3 days now. I haven't seen it move once and I have seen people in it occasionally but it doesn't look like there is anyone is working on anything. I wonder who is watching me.
</tinfoil hat>

Happened to me before. I was paranoid as hell. I even sent my mom out to see who was in it once. Turns it out was plumbing or something. Perhaps that was their story.


This week has literally been one of the worst weeks of my life. Finals week with the added stress of extra bullshit out of my control that I don't want to speak about until it's handled. I've had at least a half dozen stress attacks and nearly broke down and lost it yesterday. It's ridiculous. In about 8 hours I am royally screwed for physics. I need ~60% to get a B (I THINK)... I'm praying I can get a 60%. If not, I am not sure wtf I'll do. Then 3:30 I have my philosophy final, which I need to get a 100% in to even chance getting an A in the class (since the TA is a polesmoking shithead that gives me Bs for awesome papers, where my friends get As for mediocre ones); then I get to learn about multi-variable differentiation for the final on Saturday. And the programming final is my last one, so I end on a positive easy note. I hope.

Maybe miracles do happen. Maybe something will come to me and everything on the final will make sense. Fuuuuuuck.

Fuck this week. :/

[Sidoh]

Good luck on finals, Newby.  Do what you can to avoid psyching yourself out.  Take a walk, go out with some friends for a short while, etc.

[BigAznDaddy]

good luck with the finals newby.
I just did a midterm I did not study for and I got 102 out of 120

[leet_muffin]

good luck with the finals newby.
I just did a midterm I did not study for and I got 102 out of 120

108/120, owned! =)

[Newby]

Physics final went poorly. I think maybe with the curve I got a C+/B- [in the class]. If I had not done so poorly earlier on I wouldn't have to worry but eh, I guess hindsight is a bitch. :/

[warz]

You're crying about passing your classes. Wtf?

On the other hand, don't stress. I know how panic attacks feel and they suck. Yea, take a walk or something, I dunno. A beer or two can calm you down, too.

[while1]

When you say a "research based" program is less encouraged, that would depend.  Less encouraged by who? Professors?   If by professors, I can only see this for the following reason, which is somewhat specific to the US and the UK.  If you're going to do research in these places, might as well try for direct entry into a PhD program -- it could save you time, and you could end up with a master's anyways, if you decide to change directions after a couple of years.

Oh, I was strictly referring to employers who are paying for you to attend graduate school.  I didn't mean to suggest that the research intensive degrees are a worse idea.  In fact, I think they sound much more interesting and fulfilling.

If you're doing a PhD, you're going to have to do a lot of research; you can't get a PhD without a substantial dissertation. 

Masters degrees seem to vary.  A lot of PhD programs take 5 years, where the first 2 years is a mix of courses and research.  Some PhD students will stop after the first 2 years, and get a master's degree.  Others will get a master's degree, and continue on for the next 3 years, and get a PhD.  Others will just continue to get a PhD, without a masters.

There are one year master's degrees, two year master's degrees, primarily course based master's, primarily research based master's, etc. 

It also varies from country to country.  In Canada, for instance, a master's degree in a scientific subject (including CS), is more of a big deal.  The dissertation is seen as quite important, and is treated almost like a PhD thesis.  In fact, usually you can't start in a PhD program until you've completed a master's.

When you say a "research based" program is less encouraged, that would depend.  Less encouraged by who? Professors?   If by professors, I can only see this for the following reason, which is somewhat specific to the US and the UK.  If you're going to do research in these places, might as well try for direct entry into a PhD program -- it could save you time, and you could end up with a master's anyways, if you decide to change directions after a couple of years.

Right, in the U.S. for Master's programs in CS you have two options depending on the school, a Masters of Science (MS) or a Masters of Computer Science (MCS).  The latter of the two is a degree without a research thesis requirement.  So basically, it's a degree for someone whose goals more align with an industry career.  However, if you had two identical candidates but one with a MS and MCS applying for the same industry job, I don't feel the MS would be at a disadvantage at all.  In fact, the MS would have more doors open to him/her.

Supposedly, some schools in the US are even now doing the same for Doctorates.

For me, I'm not sure yet on what I'm going to do.  The problem is, I can't make a decision until I hear back from two more grad skools.  The one I've been accepted to is my backup.  Sigh.

What graduate schools did you apply to?  What do you want to do research in?

Well, I applied to only 4 PhD programs:  UVA, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and UNC Charlotte.

UVA ggnorethx'd me but I expected that much, since it is the only top 20-30 overall ranked graduate programs in the country I applied to.

I got accepted to Texas A&M, which was my backup, but at this time I don't have a guarantee of full funding.  I've only been guaranteed a $1,500 scholarship with instate tuition rates, and put on a waiting list for a teaching assistantship which I should know if one is available for me by May 1st (I have to make a decision to accept/decline their offer by May 15th).  However, if I decide to accept their admittance, I'm almost certain I can get full funding from a research assistantship with the faculty adviser I had when I did research there two summers ago.

I still need to hear back from Notre Dame.  If I get accepted there, I'd most likely accept it in a heartbeat since it is my top choice and I really enjoyed my research in wireless sensor networks and faculty adviser from this past summer.

UNC Charlotte is a random choice I threw in...

I was going to apply initially to more but it was a lot of work with just the 4 I did, as well as required quite a pretty sum in application fees.  I ruled out the top programs in the nation because my chances were next to nothing of getting in with my mediocre GRE scores.  I should have not wait until last semester to take the GREs... I had too little preparation and too much on my plate at the time.  If I don't go to grad school immediately, I will have more time to prepare for the GREs and retake them, as well as complete my masters and then apply to PhD programs.

[BigAznDaddy]

good luck with the finals newby.
I just did a midterm I did not study for and I got 102 out of 120

108/120, owned! =)

yeah that test was rocked